Standard Deduction or Itemize? What Federal Employees Should Know for 2025
Federal employees: Don’t assume last year’s tax approach works in 2025—higher SALT caps mean itemizing could finally beat the standard deduction.
Author: Francis Xavier (FX) Bergmeister
ABLE Accounts: A Powerful but Underused Planning Tool for FERS and Military Families
ABLE accounts let federal and military families save for disability needs tax-free while protecting SSI, Medicaid, and survivor benefits—key to long-term planning.
Saving for Children Under FERS: What Works, What Doesn’t, and Why
Not all savings accounts for children are equal for FERS families.
How Medicare Premiums Quietly Erode Income for FERS Retirees
Federal retirees must plan early for the growing impact of Medicare on their Social Security and FERS annuity income.
Two Paychecks, Two TSP Matches?
Federal employees who are Reservists and Guardsmen can receive both military and civilian TSP matches.
The Illusion of Low-Cost Investing
According to FINRA research, most investors underestimate or ignore hidden investment fees, risking long-term returns and retirement security.
I Asked Google’s AI: ‘What Is the Best Mix of a TSP Portfolio for a Retired Person’
What allocation does Google’s AI recommend for federal employees investing in the TSP? The answer is a distilled product of the Internet.
A New TSP Quilt Chart and What 2025’s Returns Teach Federal Employees
TSP fund performance shifted from 2024 to 2025, with diversification and the I Fund’s changes rewarding balanced investors while concentration lagged.
Major Changes to Charitable Giving Tax Rules Begin in 2026
Starting 2026, new charitable tax rules add non-itemizer deductions, AGI floors, and 35% caps, making careful planning essential for maximizing benefits.
Planning to Work Part-Time After Federal Retirement?
Federal retirees who plan to work part-time after retirement should be aware of the potential impacts to their federal retirement benefits.
